Sheet-separating machine.



W. R. KINNEAR.

SHEET SEPARATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT 11, 1009,

mmm Patented. Ma1n17, 1914.

a sums-slum 1.

W. RwKINNEAR.

SHEET SBPAEATING MACHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED SEPT. 17, 1909 Patented Mar, 17, 1914.

'2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I Hmneus X Z j 2% humus-A W. R. KINNEAR. SHEET SBPAEATING MACHINE.

APPLIGATIONYPILED SEPT.17, 1909.

Patented Mar. 17, 1914.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

M @4 W4 J,

W. R. KINNEAR.

MEET SEPARATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT 17, 1909.

LHQGX QBQo Patented Mar. 17, 1914.

9 SHBETS-$HEBT 4.

l; H H H ll I! llllHll WITNESS'S Kg INVENTOR I g L/J WITNESSES JzQ/QML W. R. KINNEAR. SHEET SEPARATING MACHINE. APPLIOATION FILED BEPT.17. 1909.

Patented Mar. 17, 1914;.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

W. R. KINNEAR. SHEET SEPARATING MACHINE. urmcuwn FILED SBPT.17, 1909.

1,090,722. Patented Mar. 17,1914.

9 SHEETE-BHBBT 6.

I I v W. KINNEAR. SHEET SEPARATING MACHINE. I APPLmATIm l rpm SEPT.1'7, 1909. 1,090,725 Patented Mar. 17, 1914.

9 sums-sum 7.

W. R. KINNEAR. SHEET SEPARATING MACHINE. APFLIGATIOH FILED SEPT. 17, 1909.

8 BHBETS-SHBET E.

At/orney Patented Mar. 17, 19M

W. R. KINNEAR.

SHEET SEPARATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION rum) SEPT. 11, 1909.

Patented Mar. 17, 1914.

9 SHEETS-811211139.

WITNESSES vlllue of that character which is portable no nn SHEET-SEPARATING' MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Eatent.

Patented Mar. 17, 1914;-

Application filed fSeptcm'bcr 1?, recs. Serial No. 518,196.

To all whom it may; mace r22.

Be it known that I, ld ILLlAM R. KIN- NEAR, a citizen of the United States. and a resident of lblw Castle, in the county of Lawrence and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sheet-Elepanting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to machines of that type employed for separating metallic sheets one by one froma stack or multiple layer after they have been annealed, and has for its purposeto provide a me.-

in the sense that it may be transported to and mounted upon a stack of sheets which are to be separated, and which in its working is held in operative position progressively as the work is performed.

The machine is designed with aview of successfully replacing hand labor even with sheets adhering together in consequence of being rolled in groups or frozen, such manual means as now employed being to loosen the sheets of the groups by kicking and then tearing oil the sheets thiis loosened with the aid of tongs.

The underlying principle of the machine resides in the use of a pair of knives or stripping blades which are caused to move in beneath the top sheetof a pile and conr pletely separate iihe same therefrom. following which both knives simul'tnneonsly reccde and one of them, provided vith means for the purpose, carries the separated sheet with it to a convc ver mechanism when itis removed and forwarded for its further treatment, In order to insure the positive entrance of the knives a pneumatic suction apparatus is employed which raises diametricelly opposite corners of the sheets ad cent to the edges :it which the lcnivcs enter. said mechanism being timed to operate immediately in advance of the inward n1ovcment of said knives. And as a further as \lll'illlfO toward separation, :1 pressure l vice is provided which resisupon an ill-- termcdiatc portion of the pile. \Jllill the lion device is in operation. thcrchfl uiilir' ing' the stillness of the sheets to h ld the Second sheet from the top while the lo .-:heet is being flexed at the corners.

The machine is supported in its entirety upon four screw threaded shafts and hair means whereby thew Sllof S may he inier- I mittently rotated lining-l1 the movements of 1 the separating knives and cfiect to move the machine downwardly as the sheets are hemg separated, and thus maintaining the machine in its operative position at all times, regardless of the height of the stack of sheets which are being worked. Coiiperating with this latter mechanism is a means which contacts With opposed sides of the stack immediately following each operative movement of the separators, and by such contactin with the pile of sheets manage to keep the stack in proper symmetry during the separation thereof.

With the above objects in view, the invention is shown in its preferred embodiment, and in an alternative structure, in the accompanying drawings, wherein,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus complete, Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof, Fig. 2" is a detail View of one of the separating blades. Fig. 3 is a view of part of the machine showing the same in elevation and partly in section, Fig. 3 is a top plan view of one of the blade carriers and its operative mechanism, Fig. 4 is a detail view of the machine feeding mechanism, Fig. 4; is a side elevation of the suction lifting mechanism, Fig. is a further detail view of the parts shown in Fig. 3, Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the depressing bar and its associated parts, Fig. (3 is a detail. view of the compressorplate, Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the compressor plate and its operating mechanism. 6 is adetail view in side elevation of the clamping plate and its operating mechanism, Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail view of the mounting of one of the separator plates. Fig. 7 is a side elevation showing me mounting of the separator plate supporting fran1e. Fig. 7" is a detailed view of the sheet removing arms. Fig. 8 is a top plan view of an alternative construction of the machine. Fig. 9 is a side elevation thereof, Fig. 10 is a front elevation of the some partly in section, and, Figs. 11 and 12 are a top plan view and a side elevation of the operating mechanism.

R ferring now to the details of structure of the. machine. and with like characters of reference indicating corresponding parts in the several views shown. 1 designates the machine supporting; means which comprises four verticnllv disposed screw threaded shafts suitably mounted to rotate in the base of hearing blocks 2, and at their upper ends connected by a skeleton frame 2'.

The machine frame 3 is in screw threaded connection with the shafts 1 through the me dium of four integrally formed nuts 4 (see Fig. 1). At theirnpper ends each of the several shafts 1 is provided with a sprocket wheel 5 which is fixed thereon; and one of said shafts is additionally provided with a nected with one loosely mounted gear wheel 6 adapted to be coupled with said shaft through the me dium of a clutch 7 that is splined thereon, and which coupling is eiiected through the medium. of a controlling lover 8 journaled in the frame 2 at 9.

The means vfor rotating the several shafts comprises an electric .motor '10 supported upon a shelf 11 on the frame, and which motor normally drives a shaft 12 which, through the medium of a clutch 13, rotates a worm 14 that is normally in mesh with the worm wheel 6 and which transmits movement thereto as will be obvious, (see Figs. 1, 2 and l.) For rotating the several shafts 1 in unison their sprocket wheels 5 are connected by a chain 15. Any slack in the chain is compensated for by the take-up 15; and said chain and'sprockets 5 are held against freedom of movement by the friction brake,16'. The motor 10 is designed. to be constantly operated, and in order to trans-- mit its power to cause the rotation of the shafts 1, and control the consequent downward movement of the frame 3, which occurs through gravity, there is pro ided an automatic means operable intermittently and through the reciprocating movement of one of the sheet separating knives. This means comprises an arm 16 fixed at one end to a stub shaft 17 and at its opposite end conelement of the clutch 13. The shaft 17 is journaled in a bearing 18 and at its lower end has a fixed short arm 19 that in turn connects with a bar 20. The bar 20 is pivotally connected to an arm 21 that is. fixed on a shaft 22 within a' journal bearing 23 that is mounted on the frame 2. The shaft 22 has a second arm 2% which is also fixedly mounted thereon, and which projects inwardly of the machine as shown in Fig. 2, and in which position it lies normally in t e path of a double faced cam block 25, w iich block is mounted upon and reciprocates with one of the sheet separating knife carriers. It will be seen from the foregoing that as the separating knife is recip rocated the cam-=faccs of the block 25 Wlll alternately engage with and elevate the projecting lever 24:, which movement through the several members described will cause said upward movements of the arm 24 to couple and uncouple the clutch 13, thereby transmitting power from the motor to the several shafts 1, and hausing the rotation of the latter for brief periods, '5. a, the rotation of these shafts will be suficient to cause the downward movement of the machine a distance suiiicient to compensate for the thickness of the sheet which has been removed, and properly position the separating knives for the next operation.

The means for actually separating the sheets of the pile A. comprises'a pair of laterally and oppositely reciprocating plates or blades 26 and 27 which are mounted in carriages 26 (one being shown in Fig. 7) that slide within guidcways 28 formed in the sides of the machine frame 3, (see Figs. 1, 2 andB The separating blades are preferably 'pivotally mounted (see Figs. 7 and 7) in their respective carriages, to effeet which they are secured on the ledges 28 of said carriages by means of screws 29 and the supporting rails 28 are in turn pivotally mounted 'as at. 32, and to hold the blades in proper symmetry, them to compensate for any irregularity in the strata of the sheets of the pile, they are held tensioned by leaf springs 30', which springs are adjustably secured to the plate carriages by bolts 31". Each of the plate supporting rails has a downwardly projecting portion suchas 33 adapted to-coiiperate with a similar member 34: on a fixed bar 35', the purpose whereof explained. there is provided a motor 29 mounted upon a platform 30 on the frame 3. The shaft 31 of this motor is-provided with a pinion 32 which, through a train gearing 33, 3d, 35 and 36, operates a pair of crank arms 37. The crank arms 37 carry links 38 which knife carriage 40, and which project through their respective guideways 28, (see Fig. 1.) A pair of stub shafts 39 carries rack bars 41 which mesh with pinions 4:2 thatmre loosely mounted on the shaft 43 which carrise the pinion 36. The loosely rotating pinrack bars'aa which are carried by t e guid' ing members ing carriage 26', and which trave. in the ways 28. For, normally keeping the rack bars 41 and 44: always in mesh with the pinion 42, said rack bars are engaged and held in that relation by spools 46, as shown in Fig. 1.

From the description just'given, it will be readily seen that the power of the motor transmitted through the train gearing 32-36 will, through the links 38, reciprocate the sheet separating blade 27, and that the movements of this blade will through the gearing 41 42 and 4a, cause its coop erating blade 26 to be operated simultane ously therewith and in t e opposite direction.

It is devised that the top est sheet ofthe pile A be gotten into ositionfor receiving the blades 26 and 27 w ichge'ficct its separation from saidpila: and to accomplish this and also permit will be presently For reciprocating said plates- 45 of the opposite bla e carryconnect with stub shafts 39 carried by the ions 42 have also meshing therewith similar i l l l l t tack of sheets A. where they are eonneeted with plunger-s 51. The plunger-s 51 are adapted to have slight vertit-al movement in sleevee 52 which support said plungers from the cross bar 53 ot' the inaehine frame to whit-lithe are eonnertedhr the arins at. The means for giving DXOYQTWHY to the plungets 51 eonipriees a pair of oppositely disposed lifting hare 5.3 whirh ar l l' mounted on upwardly disposed arms In; that are in turn seenred upon the eross bar 5 3. The free ends of the lifting bars 55 are adapted to move within guideways 57 of the plungers 51, and intermediate of their pivots and free ends said liars span the shaft 49. and at these points said shaft 1-9 *arries earns 58 whose funetion is to give to the bars 55, and ronsequeiuly the plunger-s 5] their slight upward and downward move ment. as aliove stated. Eaeh of the sleeves 52 is provided with a preaser foot 52' loosely mounted therein and whose upper end tits treelv throu h a )late 53 'arried hv the plunger. where it is bent and rests upon said plate and by reason of which, and having. the spring 5t" tending to normally depress plates 26 and 27. its the corners of the sheets are flexed in the manner stated, their respeetive intermediate corners are at the sanie instant. held in t use ,eontart with the pile by means of depressing lingers 59" mounted to have slight \ertieal movement in iii-instill that are supported by the cross liar 5 (see Figs. 5 and 7)). iaid depressing inei'nliers 59 are eonneeted at their up per ends with levers-til. whit-h are in turn pivotallv supported on the niarhine frame at (32'. and as in the lilhijtl'ilt't" ol the lifting arms 55. the arms til are adapted to he elevated and ('lepre-ssed alternately therewith by rains (33 that are carried by the shaft 49. .is the separating blades are advanced to ward the pile. the projeeting niemhei engage with the members Ill on the fixed bar 235 and thereby cause the blades to he lifted slightly as they enter beneath the topmost sheet ot the pile. and thus orereonie the likelihood of the blades engaging under the set-end sheet. should the saute lor an v reneon ineline to he lifted upward with the sheetto he aeparated. The time for this lifting oi? the l-lades 3t; and 27 is so selected that immediately after the blades have entered heneath said top sheet. they will drop to the level of the top of the pile.

Coil pera tin or with the suction apparatus is a'ineans for depressing or holding down the the saute. said presser footholdadown that rorner of the sheet innnediately adjacent that portion where the suetion nozzle 59 grips it. The hold down members 52 are so mounted that the g tontinue for a brief period to depress the corners of the sheet while the plungers are lifting and thus pro vent the second sheet being also lifted. On the final upward movement of the plunger-is. the presser feet are also lifted clear of the pile. The suction apparatus just described is timed so that the nozzles 59 on the plungers 51 are brought into eontart with the topmost sheet of the pile immediate-l3 after the sheet just separated therefrom has been removed (1 -ar of the pile. and simultaneously with this contacting of the nozzles 59, suetion is created by the pump 43?. and instantly this suction is created the plinigers 51 are moved u 'nvardly through the medium of the earns 58 and the lifting arms llaeh oi the nozzles 59 is connected with its 1 respective plunger'or tube 51 by a pivot. pin 0 and a loose eouneetion 61. disposed in such manner that in the upward movement oi" vsaid plunger-s 51. the llOZZltN 39 assume an so Cau e the angular position and hr (ll extreme corners oi? the shee prior to the adj. ent'portion thereot'. reason for th' provision is to have the topmost sheet ol the pile instantly prepared to receive the advanced edges of the separating t to he lifted The central portion of the sheet being separated in order to insure the separation oi? only that sheet and also to maintain the proper svinuietry of the pile. This means comprises a flexible press-er plate 62 that. is dependinelv supp rted from a *ro: head 63. The plate (32 suspended troin the shaft 4-9 by hangers and for bringing said plate into eontart with the pile the rrosf-i head (33 is provided with r shaft 6 that. hung from an eeeentrie hearing}; 67 al.-o mounted on the. shaft ii). The flexible plate 62 ('(,iInPllI-;t'S four sertions ($22 which are roupled together by hinge joints 8 in such manner as will give them independent or wpa rate movelllfiilt relative to eaeh other. he depressing plate has its operative i'neehauiam ao 'tinied that it is depressed during the lifting of the torners of the sheet the auction appa rains hut will itself he lifted rlear oi the. pile at the proper movement or at that insltll'ill whet-i the eeparatii ig hnires 26 and it? eoniplete their inward movement.

As with sheet is separated after the man nor (,l k. (l'll)0(l it is removed from the pile by a pair of fingers 69 that are earried by the lz-lnd :37. The free ends 70 oi said lingers are hooked (see Fig. 7") so as to readily eneapge the rear edge of the sheet: separated and withdraw the same with said blade 27 on it r turn movement. ll'heu the separated sheet has been thus removed from the pile. it is brought into frictional. engage ment with. a pair of rollers 71 that are mounted. on a shaft 72. The shaft 7:2 is jouroaled in :1 psi:- of blocks 72 which have vertical movement in a pair of guidewsys 73 upon the fi{1l116,3, the friction disks 7]. are normally kept in position to engage the sheet to be removed through the medium of the springs 74C. The shaft 72 carrying the friction rollers is given rotary {movement by a chain T3 that is driven by the shaft The stripping rollers 71 thus cause the scpurated sheet to be removed from the machine on to :1 suitable carrier or otherwise.

It is desired to keep the stock of sheets A in proper syn'unetry.whereby the machine may work thereon, after once set, without necessitating any subsequent positioning or adjustment of the apparatus or stack of sheets. T 0 this end, the machine is provided with at means that centers or positions the topmost portion of. the stack progressively as the frame 3 is lowered with the stack. This mechanism comprises a pair of prcsser plates 74 that are disposed on oppo site sides of the stack, as shown in Figs. 1, '2, 8 and 9. These plates 74 are designed to come into contact with the pile A between those operations of the machine which remove the sheets. To effect this operation each of the plates 74 is carried by a, head 74 that is movably supported on the bearing 75, and through links 76 chine frame 77 Each of the blade curriers is provided with a, grooved track memher 7 8 that travels with said carriers and on each movement thereol causes the links 76 to be straightened or broken for bringing the blades 74 into engagement with the pile and removing the same therefrom.

Referring now to the alternative structure shown in 9 to 12, the some comprises 2. frame 79 which supports the sheet seperating apparzitus in its entirety and is in turn supported by and lowered progressively with the stack of sheets as separated. The means for causing the reciprocations of the knife carrying carriages and the structure thereof is substantially the some as in the machine above described. and need not therefore be entered into in further detail here. ll. differs. however, in that the motor for actuating the some is not mounted upon thenmchinc frame. This; feature of the machine Will be described hereinafter The suction apparatus for flexing the sheets in the present i'hstance comprises vertically movable plungers 51 having nozzles of the type above described and having their move ment Within sleeyes 80 that are supported by arms 81. which arms. are in turn supported upon the machine frame by a pair of in WHIdl) disposed bars 82 mounted on the frame cxiensions 83, as shown in F igs. 8 and 9. The lifting; arms for the plunger 51 are structurally the some as the corresponding is connected to the mamembers in the other instance, end are @P. eroted in precisely the same manner. 'ilhe pump 47' is also in structure and manner of operation similar to that shown and de scribed in the preceding figures. The presser plates '74 dor maintaining the pile in proper symmetry are likewise the 531138 and are operated during the reciprocstions of the blade carrying carriages. In the preferred type of machine, however, the plate 8% is rigid as distinct from being flexible like the plates 62, and constitutes the means for supporting the machine upon the stack of sheets during their separation. The plate 8 1: is dependingly supported by a cross heed 85 and is adopted to have slight vertical movement through the rotation of the shaft 49, to effect which it is connecteiltherewith lay on eccentricelly mounted hanger 86. on each upward movement of the supporting plate 84: the side presser plates 'l-l are designed to contact with the p1le and supportthe mechinc, and cooperating with said presser plates isa pair oi pistes 87' disposed on op posite sides of the steel: A. Said plates 8? are formed rigidly with the machine and normally lie slightly in contect with the sides of the pile A. In this type of machine, the pair of friction rollers "ii. are mounted on thenmchine by the two arms 88 in such manner that said rollers may rest by their own weight upon the upper surface of one of the sheet separators. hlIoveinent is ir ported to the friction roller '61 through the medium of a chain and sprocket gearing 89 from the shaft 49, as shown in Fig. The motor 90 which operates the machine ried upon a truck 91 and is in gear with the sprocket 92 of the machine by a. chain The truck 91 ishelcl at the proper disizance from the machine by a pair of reach arms 9-12, which arms are further serviceable in that the machine frame 79 is lowered, the truck 91 is moved ewe ffroiii the steels.

I which enables said frame to clear the motor 99 to lower the truck 91.. 1

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:-- 1. A sheet separating machine adopted to be supported upon the sheets to be separated all? be lowered therewith progressively as he sheets are separated, and" means I for temporarily supporting the frame upon the sheets during the separation of said sheets. 2. A sheet separating machine adopted to he supported upon a; pile of sheets to he sope reted and be lowered therewith progres sively as the sheets are removed, and means adapted to engage the'sides oi the pile on the actual separation Bligh fill sheet and support the machine. In s'sheet separating machine. the comhinetion with a suitably supported frame sheets fren the. pile, means carried clamps etfeetive, and

the sheets in advance of reciprocating knife adapted to engage under said raised portions and completely separate the sheets from the pile, and means carried with the knife for removing the separated sheets.

5. In a sheet sepnratin g machine, the com bination with a suitably supported frame. of suction means for raising the corners of the sheets in advance of their separation, a pair of oppositely and simultaneouslyoperated knii'es adapted to engage under said 'aised corners and completely separate the sheets from the pile. and means carried with one of said knives for removing said. sheets.

6. ln a sheet separating machine, the combination with a suitably supported frame, of

suction means for raising opposite corners of the sheets in advance of their separation, a pa r of oppositely and simultaneously operated l-:nives adapted to on "age under said raised corners and complet .ly separate the by one of Said knives for Withdrawing the sheets when separated, and means for removingv the sheets withdrawn.

7. In a. sheet separating machine, the coinhination with a frame adapted to he sup ported upon the sheets to be separated, and means for ten'morarily supporting the machine during the actual separation and removal of each sheet, said supporting means adapted to keep the sheets in proper stack formation.

8. In a sheeseparating machine, the combination with a portable frame having means adapted it upport the same upon a stack of sheets to be separated, of asuction means adapted to raise the corners of the sheets. stripping: therewith 21111, adapted to separate the sheets, clamps adapted to ngage opposite sides of the stack and support the frame on the separation of each sheet. means for withholding said first supporting means While. said means for withdrawing and removing the sheets as separated.

9. In a sheet, separating machine. the combination w th a portable frame having means to sugnmrt the same upon a stack of sheets to he separated, of a suction means adapted to s itcessively raise opposite corne s of the topmost sheets of the stack, stripping mochanisrn co ipcu'ating therewith comprising; a.

mechanism coliperating l pair of oppositely and simultaneously actuuted lnzires adapted to engage. under the raised corners of the. sheets and separate the some from the stack, means carried by said strip ping mechanism for withdrawing the sheets as separated, clamps adapted to engage opposite sides of the stack and support the frame on the sepznation of each sheet, means for withholding said first supporting means while said chunps are effective, and means for removing the sheets withdrawn.

10. in a. sheet separating machine, the combination with a suitably mounted frame, of a suction dcrice therefor, said suction device comprising a. tube having. a nozzle hinged thereon and adapted to raise a corner of the sheet While keeping the adjacent portion thereof depressed, stripping mechanism adapted to engage under of the sheet and separate the same, and means for Withd airing and removing the sheets separated.

1.1.. It suction device for sheet separating machines comprising a tube, means for lift ingr said tube, a nozzle hinged on the lower end of the tuhe and adapted to raise one portion of a-sheet while depressing an adjacent portion thereto when the tube is lifted. and means for creating suction through the tube.

12. The combination in a. sheet separating machine, of a means for positioning the sheets for separation. comprising; a tube, means for lifting the tube. a nozzle mounted on the lower end of the tube and adapted to assume an angular position relative thereto when the tube is elevated, whereby to raise. one portion. of a sheet and depress a portion adjacent thereto, and means for creating suction through the tube.

13. In a sheet sepz'uatingr machine. the combination with a suction device for raising a portion of the sheet. and a. ier-iprocable separatingknife adapted to extend beneath the sheet and the full width thereof. of means for depressing a portion of the sheet being removed adjacent the raised portion thereof whereby to prevent the next adjacent sheet rising under the influence of the sheet being: raised.

14. In a sheetseparating machine. a sur' tion device for raising a portion of the sheet. and a reciprocable separating knife adapted to extend beneath the sheet and the full Widththereof, and a. prew r toot cooperating with the suction device and adapted to depress a adjacent to the suction device during the raising of said sheet. and through said depressed portion, holding hack the next sheet from the influence of the sheet being raised.

15. In a sheet separating machine, a suction. de ice for *aising a corner of the sheet to a dune a. reciprocable separating knife portion of the sheet being removed the raised cornerextending across the sheet and a" resser foot carried hyth'e suction device and adapted to depress the portion of the sheet being removed adjacent the suction device during the reising of said suction device.

16, In a sheet separating machine, a suction device for raising a corner of the sheet and a recipro'cable separating knife extend ing across the sheet and a, s ring pressed foot carried by the suction device and normally tending to deprea the corner of the sheet adjacent the suction device.

1'2. In a sheet separating machine, the.

combination with a frame having means adapted to support the same upon a stack of sheets to be separated, of suction means allapted-to raise a corner of a sheet, strip ping mechanism cooperating therewith and adapted to separate the sheets, a resser foot for holding down a corner of the sheet opposite to the suction device, means for lifting the frame supporting means during the separation of each sheet, and means Whereby the presser foot is caused to be depressed on the initial raising of the frame support.

18. In a, sheet separating machine, the

combination with a suitably supported frame, of on edge lifting device acting upon the top sheet for initial parting of the same income of movement, which completely raises the iteflheres.

- .-19.' in a sheet separating machine, the 'icombinetion with a suitably supported frame, of an edge lifting device, acting upon from the sheet beneath it and v knife-like wedging means lying in the plane oi separation, movable in sai plane of separation to sheet to which it axiheres, and havinge sco e of movement, which completely raises t e sheet to be severed. from the one to which it adheres, and a Presser plate above the sheet to be separated, holding the some parallel to the plane of separation and thereby preventing buckling.

The foregoing specification signed this 8th iey of September, 1909.

Wlhhlfli RAYHMID KINNEAE. In wesencc ou Memm Fem,

Emu. Fmcxnn.

'40 'the top sheet for initial parting of the some forcibly liit the top sheet from the next 35 sheet. to be severed from the one to-Whi h 

